Author Topic: Slick Wheelie towing device  (Read 6944 times)

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busmec

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on: June 16, 2013, 04:01:05 am
Does anyone have one of these towing devices or know someone who does? Its fits on the trailer hitch & you set the front tire in it & tow the motor cycle behind vehicle. And of course the inevitable question can you tow with bike in neutral or do you have to remove the chain? I'm thinking about getting one to take bike on vacation with me.
I know your asking why don't you ride it , I'm too old & going too far over 500 miles.
   Dan


Arizoni

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Reply #1 on: June 16, 2013, 05:09:48 am
I haven't seen one but IMO the chain on or chain off would depend on which Royal Enfield you have.

If you are towing a Iron Barrel or a AVL you could leave the chain on.  Both of these models have a good supply of lube in the transmission (if it didn't leak out over the years).

The UCE transmission depends on the engine running to supply a lot of the oil that lubes the gears so it would be best to remove the rear chain before towing it very far with the engine off.
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shamelin

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Reply #2 on: June 16, 2013, 05:52:49 am
I hauled the RE from Houston to San Antonio with this motorcycled hitch and had no problems.  Cheap, well made, and sturdy.  Plus you don't have to worry about the bike being in neutral.  If you've got a low hitch (minivan, sedan, etc) you'll need to be careful of the clearance.  If you've got a higher hitch position (truck), then you're probably not looking for one of these anyways and would just strap it to your bed.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00067MVBS


heloego

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Reply #3 on: June 16, 2013, 01:58:09 pm
Other options from Harbor Freight. You'd need to add a plywood deck and some tie-downs, but still a very viable solution.

http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=Trailer+%26+Accessories
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mattsz

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Reply #4 on: June 16, 2013, 02:36:19 pm
I have a small car; its hitch doesn't have the tongue weight capacity to hold my bike, so I couldn't try Shamelin's idea.

As Arizoni says, the running engine lubes the transmission, so if I had to transport my bike (without riding it!), I'd be inclined to do what I could to keep both wheels off the ground if I were me...


Craig McClure

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Reply #5 on: June 16, 2013, 06:05:23 pm
I'd remove the chain anyway to be completely comfortable.
Best Wishes, Craig McClure


barenekd

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Reply #6 on: June 16, 2013, 09:17:24 pm
How could you put a trailer hitch on something that doesn't have tongue weight capacity for dragging an Enfield? What's the towing capacity of your car?
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mattsz

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Reply #7 on: June 16, 2013, 10:06:54 pm
It will drag the Enfield no trouble; it just won't carry the whole weight of the Enfield.  It's a small car, and a small trailer hitch.  Not sure, but I think that it's got a 200 lb tongue weight limit.  That's the max dead weight the hitch is designed to support.  My car's towing capacity is 1000 lbs.


Desi Bike

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Reply #8 on: June 16, 2013, 11:28:45 pm
The harbor freight trailers come with added cost of registering, licencing and insuring a trailer, whereas a two inch receiver hitch mount jobbie isn't classed as a trailer, so no added fees.
میں نہیں چاہتا کہ ایک اچار
میں صرف اپنی موٹر سائیکل پر سوار کرنا چاہتے ہیں


High On Octane

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Reply #9 on: June 17, 2013, 12:57:25 am
The harbor freight trailers come with added cost of registering, licencing and insuring a trailer, whereas a two inch receiver hitch mount jobbie isn't classed as a trailer, so no added fees.

+1   Excellent point!
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heloego

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Reply #10 on: June 17, 2013, 02:05:57 am
Merely presented as an option, especially if doing frequent long-distance hauls, and the added convenience of not half-disassembling the bike every time it's transported.
 
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Desi Bike

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Reply #11 on: June 17, 2013, 02:39:29 am
I wasn't dissing the trailer idea, it would definitely come in handy for other chores in addition to hauling the bike around. I'm quite comfortable pulling a trailer myself. Hope to pick up a Ural with one someday.
میں نہیں چاہتا کہ ایک اچار
میں صرف اپنی موٹر سائیکل پر سوار کرنا چاہتے ہیں


busmec

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Reply #12 on: June 17, 2013, 04:33:03 am
Thanks for feedback guys , I have a email in to CMW to see what they have to say.  I'm not wanting a trailer because you have to store it when not in use. I'll have to check and see what my hitch weight limit is , towing it won't be a problem , but supporting the whole bike on it could present a problem.

Dan


Craig McClure

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Reply #13 on: June 17, 2013, 03:00:41 pm
For awhile I had a crosswise rail bike rack that had about a 500lb capacity & fit into a large hitch receiver. It would swing down on one end to load. I couldn't push the bikes up the slope,so got rid of it.
  Speaking of steep slopes, a neighbor with a huge 1800cc cruiser bought the cheapest possible, assemble yourself, Harbor Freight Trailor. I told him how hard it would be to load the bike with that high a trailer & heavy bike. soon after both bike & trailer were gone - wonder if he dropped it?
  I have owned a stand-up KENDON bike trailer for awhile. It has an under slung torsion bar axle, & car wheels. It is no more than 12" off the ground & easy to load. It also folds in the middle & will stand straight up in any garage. It has castors & only takes up about 5' X2'. Hardly know its behind a vehicle when pulled. Check them out on Ebay used, they are REAL nice.
Best Wishes, Craig McClure


gremlin

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Reply #14 on: June 18, 2013, 03:00:21 am
Speaking from recent experience, I can honestly say the Harbor-Freight trailer conversion is dicer than one might think.

I bull-dogged through a conversion (not quite finished in time) and figured I could "make-do" ......

Well, my wife was not impressed with having to help lift the B5 off my back, and, help me extract it from in between the trailer and car-bumper.

The good news is, I hear replacement front fenders are reasonably available from NFG through my local dealer !

 
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D the D

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« Last Edit: June 18, 2013, 03:30:50 am by D the D »
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heloego

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Reply #16 on: June 18, 2013, 04:22:57 pm
Quote
I wasn't dissing the trailer idea, it would definitely come in handy for other chores in addition to hauling the bike around. I'm quite comfortable pulling a trailer myself. Hope to pick up a Ural with one someday.

NP, Desi. No adverse inference taken from your post. We're all friends here. and the more opinions the better IMHO.  :)
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gremlin

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Reply #17 on: June 18, 2013, 04:50:24 pm
They make wheel chocks you can bolt to the trailer floor so the bike doesn't go through the back bumper:................

I did mention it wasn't quite finished yet.

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mplayle

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Reply #18 on: June 18, 2013, 07:12:33 pm
I went with a folding 5'x8' trailer for the sidecar rig.  Just need to do the decking and paperwork.


Vince

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Reply #19 on: June 18, 2013, 07:23:36 pm
     These have been marketed under various names/manufacturers since well before I started riding in the late '60's. Not my first choice. Keep the speed below 50. No matter how well tied down, a big bump can turn it on its side. It is next to impossible to back up. The short turning radius will jackknife way too easily.
     REMOVE THE CHAIN. A bump can cause it to shift  into gear or a jerk at a gas station will pop it into gear or the chain will pop off. I have seen tires and transmissions destroyed like this.


gremlin

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Reply #20 on: June 18, 2013, 10:18:05 pm
     These have been marketed under various names/manufacturers since well before I started riding in the late '60's. Not my first choice. Keep the speed below 50. No matter how well tied down, a big bump can turn it on its side. It is next to impossible to back up. The short turning radius will jackknife way too easily.
     REMOVE THE CHAIN. A bump can cause it to shift  into gear or a jerk at a gas station will pop it into gear or the chain will pop off. I have seen tires and transmissions destroyed like this.

good advice.
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hillntx

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Reply #21 on: June 20, 2013, 03:34:23 am
I've never used one, but I don't trust the front wheel holding bike dragging transport systems.  To me it looks like an easy way to damage your forks.  Uhaul trailers are a pretty cheap alternative.


heloego

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Reply #22 on: June 20, 2013, 01:19:06 pm
This thread is interesting to me because I've never transported a bike. Based on the comments made I'll trash the HF trailer idea and go for a U-Haul if needed.
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rvcycleguy

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Reply #23 on: June 20, 2013, 02:55:21 pm
I've seen the front wheel towing systems and it just does not look safe or practical.  I guess if I was rescuing myself from a breakdown, it might be handy, but 500 miles, not for me.  Thats all day or even two days traveling.  I have the HF 4x8 folding trailer and have used it several times with the RE.  Added decking, a removable wheel chock and tie downs and its good to go.  Very sturdy and folds standing upright against the garage wall.  I've also got a small Toyota SUV with a 1000lb tow rating.  The tongue weight on the HF with the RE on it is less than 100lbs.  Yes, it takes paper work for registration, tags, etc. but I recently made a stack bed fence system using 2x4 posts and 1x4 slats and can now use it for hauling lots of other stuff.

For my big cruiser, I have a tailgate wide ramp system for my Tundra and I load it in the truck bed for long trips.   I tow a travel trailer for vacations, as I'm not comfortable with dual/tandem trailer towing. 
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